The cold moon peeked out from behind the clouds and shone on a small river, reflecting some light.
Wei Sheng saw a dark figure flash past the riverbank.
"Chase!"
Without delay, Wei Sheng and Zhang Tao led their men and chased after them.
Before long, the two sides were getting closer and closer.
The Liao scouts were surprised to find so many Song scouts nearby. Moreover, the Song cavalry were incredibly fast, and soon a group of Song scouts surrounded them.
Knowing he had no way out, the Liao scout drew his sword and committed suicide.
As the group approached, Wei Sheng frowned in the firelight.
Zhang Tao's face also darkened.
"Quickly! Report this out! The 30th detachment has spotted Liao troops!"
The Song army's scouts immediately sprang into action, relaying intelligence back to the rear.
"Old Zhang, I have a bad feeling!"
Zhang Tao also said in a heavy tone, "We have inspected the area within a hundred miles ahead these past few days and have not found any trace of Liao troops. Their sudden appearance today indicates that this Liao army is marching very fast!"
Wei Sheng's mind raced, and he suddenly asked, "Old Zhang, how many brothers do we have?"
"The 30th squad has a total of 100 people."
Wei Sheng took a deep breath and said, "The Liao army is going to launch a blitzkrieg by flanking us! They are probably no more than 50 li away from us now. They can cross the border in half an hour and reach our rear camp in an hour."
Zhang Tao exclaimed in surprise, "Chief Wei, are you sure you mean it!"
"I'm just guessing, but it's probably true!"
"How many Liao soldiers have come?"
"No fewer than 8,000 people!"
"What should we do then?"
"Those who need to go back and report should do so, and those who need to go should go!"
“We only have 100 men!” Zhang Tao was a veteran who had followed the emperor in his campaigns and witnessed the Song army conquer cities and fortresses, achieving victory in every battle.
But I've never seen anyone try to take on 8,000 people with only 100!
"Old Zhang, take a few brothers and tell Commander Cui this news. Tell him to gather all the men on the outposts and be ready to deal with any surprise attack from the Liao army."
"I'm afraid it's too late. The sentries are too scattered. It would take at least a whole night to gather them all!"
"Gather as many as you can!" Wei Sheng said sternly. "The Liao army's surprise attack is undoubtedly a desperate gamble. If we have any force to restrain them, it will greatly weaken their fighting power!"
Zhang Tao felt a chill run down his spine. Wei Sheng was an officer who graduated from Hanwu National University. He had ranked first in the entire university last year and was assigned to their military camp as a captain.
At first, Zhang Tao looked down on these young people.
He had some reservations about the current military system of the Song Dynasty. How could a scholar like Wei Sheng, who had never even killed a person, possibly fight a war?
But after a year of getting to know each other, he completely changed his prejudice.
He began to reflect on himself as well.
Without a second thought, he said decisively, "Commander Wei, I'll lead the brothers of the 30th squad to investigate. You go find Commander Cui."
Seeing that Wei Sheng was about to refuse, Zhang Tao said, "They have all followed me through thick and thin. If you take the lead, they may not all listen to you. Don't worry, I'll be fine!"
Wei Sheng then nodded and said, "Old Zhang, you must go back alive. You still owe me a drink."
"Hahaha, good lad, you too, you made it back alive."
After saying that, Zhang Tao and Wei Sheng parted ways and disappeared into the night.
Zhang Tao quickly gathered the hundred or so members of the 30th squad.
"Men, the Liao bandits are here! We don't know how many there are, so we must go and find out!"
Zhang Tao tugged on the horse's reins, his voice firm and resolute: "We have 100 men. Not all of them can die. We must ensure that someone survives. Whoever survives, will go back and report the latest intelligence!"
Upon hearing this, everyone's hearts sank.
Zhang Tao suddenly shouted, "My comrades, ten years ago, from the day I enlisted, my life was no longer my own! So are yours! The Great Song Dynasty needs us!"
"A true warrior is not one who is not afraid of death, but one who, knowing death is imminent, still goes forward without hesitation!"
Zhang Tao's powerful voice pierced everyone's ears, causing them to shudder.
"Remember! We are all soldiers who defend our country. See you at the Martyrs' Shrine!"
"Come with me!"
At Zhang Tao's command, the hundred men followed him without hesitation and charged forward, braving the night and racing through the darkness.
Wei Sheng led several cavalrymen towards the center of the intelligence post.
Only by possessing Cui Jin's military tally can the scattered spies be reunited and formed into a powerful cavalry force.
Wei Sheng was filled with excitement; this was the first time he had ever been on a large-scale battlefield since graduation.
I have fantasized countless times about the might of the Song Dynasty's iron cavalry, and that one day I could follow the emperor in his campaigns to the south and north.
Now, the imagination has become reality.
Reality is a hundred times heavier than imagined; the threat of death is all around us.
In such an emergency, if not handled properly, it could lead to a sudden and large-scale battle between the two armies.
The Liao army's surprise attack was successful. If the rear defense line were torn apart, the consequences would be unimaginable.
The more Wei Sheng thought about it, the heavier his heart became. Then he thought of Lu You, the young master who was the idol of these officers who had graduated from the Hanwu National University.
When Lu You was besieged in Beiyuan Village, didn't he charge against the twelve-strong army of the barbarians with 10,000 troops?
In private discussions, they all felt that Lu You was simply a genius, and they wished they could join him.
Only when you actually experience it firsthand do you realize how immense the pressure truly is.
A cool breeze stirred up a myriad of emotions in Wei Sheng.
Gradually, they calmed down.
After running for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Wei Sheng arrived at Cui Jin's military camp.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
